Sleep Lab

According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, more than 70 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disorder, and at least 95% are undiagnosed. Our Sleep Lab provides quality and comprehensive care to those in need of sleep medicine. We have long understood the relationship of sleep to overall physical health and the importance of the increased study of sleep disorders. Disturbances of sleep and alertness impact on daytime function and possibly even survival. Sleep disorders include:

Insomnia: This is defined as too little sleep and its causes are varied.

Sleep Apnea: This is a disorder in which there are recurring episodes of breathing cessation during sleep.

Restless Legs Syndrome/Periodic Leg Movements: This is a condition in which the legs feel extremely uncomfortable unless they are moving.

Sleepwalking: Sleep walking usually occurs during the first third of the night and can be very brief in duration or go on as long as a half an hour.

We are a six-bed facility, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). We use the “team approach”, in which each patient is our focus. Our staff is concerned with the patient’s total care, including diagnosis, testing, ordering of equipment and encouraging patients to call the lab with any questions or concerns regarding their sleep disorder.

We focus on accommodating our patients' busy lives, including having a shower available for patients so they may go to work after their study, scheduling weekend studies, and providing a comfortable environment for pediatric and adolescent studies, for both the patient and parents.

Once we have determine the best treatment for a sleep disorder, a complete physical exam and medical history must start the process. In some cases, the sleep disorder can be secondary to a more serious illness, such as lung disease or a neuromuscular disease. Once it has been determined that the symptoms are that of a sleep disorder, a night at the sleep laboratory is required to complete the diagnosis.

At the Sleep Lab, the patient arrives around 8:00pm, and brings along normal sleepwear. In a private room, the patient will spend the night while sensitive equipment records eye movements, brain waves, breathing, leg kicking, heart beat and oxygen levels during sleep. The physiological assessment of the sleeping patient is known as polysomnography and has been developed with the recognition that many serious sleep disorders are only evident while the patient is actually asleep. The polysomnographer reports the results of these tests to the physician for interpretation.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, a course of treatment can be defined and discussed. Treatments range from simple behavioral modification, such as weight loss or relaxation techniques, to medications, to a nose mask worn during sleep to prevent airway collapse, and in rare cases, surgery to remove or alleviate breathing blockages. Most sleep disorders are easily diagnosed and treatable.

We offer the sleep disorders patient a complete array of state-of-the-art diagnostic, preventative, counseling and treatment services. Each private room is equipped with a television, reading lamp and comfortable furniture, and showers are available. The Sleep Lab offers many amenities to help patients feel more comfortable and “at home”.

Affiliations/Accreditations/Awards

American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), 2001

Association of Polysomnographic Technicians

Physicians who are board certified in Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Psychiatry

Technical staff who are registered by the BRPT and certified by the ABSM

How to Contact

Hours of Operation

Support Group

A.W.A.K.E. Meetings - Call 609-599-6062 for further information

Pediatrics

Is Your Child Suffering From A Sleep Disorder?

Nothing is more important than your child's health & well-being. About 69% of children 10 and under experience some type of sleep problem according to the National Sleep Foundations (NSF) 2004 Sleep Poll in America. More than half of adolescents reported that they feel too tired during the day. The St. Francis Sleep Disorder Program, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), is dedicated to giving your child an awake, alert and energetic future.

If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, they may be suffering from a sleep disorder:

Nighttime symptoms:

Loud snoring

Restless sleep

Swearing

Persistent bed wetting

Noisy/Mouth breathing

Multiple awakening

Gasps/pauses/snorts in breathing

Daytime symptoms:

Behavior problems

Difficult to wake up

Headaches

Irritability/Crankiness

Lack of focus/Day dreaming

Mood swings

Excessive daytime sleepiness/Hyperactivity

The most common sleep disorders that affect children are:

Insomia -

Is the inability to sleep enough at night, difficulty falling asleep or frequent nighttime awakenings.

Sleepwalking -

Sleepwalking is experienced by 40% of children and usually occurs during the first third of the night.

Sleep Talking -

Is when a child talks, laughs or cries in their sleep.

Sleep Apnea -

Is characterized by reoccurring episodes of breathing cessation during sleep caused by an obstruction in the upper respiratory tract passages.

Five percent of children wet the bed at age five, and by age 10, only half of those children will remain untrained.

Nacrolepsy -

Is characterized by uncontrollable daytime sleepiness.

ADHD and Sleep:
Children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) can experience symptoms of several sleep disorders including increases bedtime resistance, awakenings, bedwetting, restless legs, daytime sleepiness, and limit-setting sleep disorders. A subset of children with ADHD may have periodic limb movement disorder and treatment of this problem may improve their ADHD.

How Much Sleep is Enough?

Toddlers/Children

12-18 months:

13-15 hours

18 months-3 years:

12-14 hours

3-5 years:

11-13 hours

5-12 years:

9-11 hours

Adolescents

12+:

8.5-9.5 hours

Adults:

7-9 hours

Marc Seelagy, M.D.
Medical Director

Research

The sleep lab is focused on up to date research and information regarding sleep medicine. Dr. Marc Seelagy is currently involved in a pediatric clinical drug trial involving sleep medication.

Patient Stories

“My technician was excellent and deserves to be commended. So many times people are over looked when they do a good job”.

“Very nice and professional staff”

“This was a positive experience thanks to the professional and sensitive technicians.”